IN another blow to its business, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized 68 million latex gloves worth US$690,000 (RM2.85 million) made by Top Glove Corporation Bhd (Top Glove), following allegations they were made using forced labour.
This time, the seizure happened at Port of Kansas, Missouri. The shipment was supposed to be sent to Kansas City.
“Considering this seizure took place in the heartland of the US, it goes to show that imports produced by forced labour affect everyone nationwide,” said Kansas City Port director director Steven Ellis.
“CBP will not tolerate forced labour in US supply chains.”
This follows a similar seizure of 3.97 million gloves worth US$518,000 (RM2.13 million) at Cleveland, Ohio.
On March 29, CBP directed personnel at all US ports of entry to seize disposable gloves produced in Malaysia by Top Glove. The shipment in Kansas City was seized after an inspection by CBP officers revealed that the gloves were produced in Malaysia by a subsidiary of Top Glove.
In July last year, CBP issued a withhold release order (WRO) on all products produced by Top Glove from entering the US.
Top Glove, in it defence, said it had resolved all 11 International Labour Organization (ILO) indicators of forced labour – verified by an independent consultant from the UK.
It was also conducting on-going talks with the US authorities to sort out the matter.
According to the ILO, 25 million people suffer under forced labour conditions around the world. Imports made by forced labour hurt vulnerable workers, threaten local jobs and businesses, and subject unsuspecting consumers to making unethical purchases. – May 13, 2021.
